Numerical analysis of water and solute transport in variably-saturated fractured clayey till

This study numerically investigates the influence of initial water content and rain intensities on the preferential migration of two fluorescent tracers, Acid Yellow 7 (AY7) and Sulforhodamine B (SB), through variably-saturated fractured clayey till. The simulations are based on the numerical model HydroGeoSphere, which solves 3D variably-saturated flow and solute transport in discretely-fractured porous media. Using detailed knowledge of the matrix, fracture, and biopore properties, the numerical model is calibrated and validated against experimental high-resolution tracer images/data collected under dry and wet soil conditions and for three different rain events. The model could reproduce reasonably well the observed preferential migration of AY7 and SB through the fractured till, although it did not capture the exact depth of migration and the negligible impact of the dead-end biopores in a near-saturated matrix. A sensitivity analysis suggests fast flow mechanisms and dynamic surface coating in the biopores, and the presence of a plough pan in the till.     

Biodegradation potential of MTBE in a fractured chalk aquifer under aerobic conditions in long-term uncontaminated and contaminated aquifer microcosms

The potential for aerobic biodegradation of MTBE in a fractured chalk aquifer is assessed in microcosm experiments over 450 days, under in situ conditions for a groundwater temperature of 10 °C, MTBE concentration between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L and dissolved O₂ concentration between 2 and 10 mg/L. Following a lag period of up to 120 days, MTBE was biodegraded in uncontaminated aquifer microcosms at concentrations up to 1.2 mg/L, demonstrating that the aquifer has an intrinsic potential to biodegrade MTBE aerobically. The MTBE biodegradation rate increased three-fold from a mean of 6.6 ± 1.6 μg/L/day in uncontaminated aquifer microcosms for subsequent additions of MTBE, suggesting an increasing biodegradation capability, due to microbial cell growth and increased biomass after repeated exposure to MTBE. In contaminated aquifer microcosms which also contained TAME, MTBE biodegradation occurred after a shorter lag of 15 or 33 days and MTBE biodegradation rates were higher (max. 27.5 μg/L/day), probably resulting from an acclimated microbial population due to previous exposure to MTBE in situ. The initial MTBE concentration did not affect the lag period but the biodegradation rate increased with the initial MTBE concentration, indicating that there was no inhibition of MTBE biodegradation related to MTBE concentration up to 1.2 mg/L. No minimum substrate concentration for MTBE biodegradation was observed, indicating that in the presence of dissolved O₂ (and absence of inhibitory factors) MTBE biodegradation would occur in the aquifer at MTBE concentrations (ca. 0.1 mg/L) found at the front of the ether oxygenate plume. MTBE biodegradation occurred with concomitant O₂ consumption but no other electron acceptor utilisation, indicating biodegradation by aerobic processes only. However, O₂ consumption was less than the stoichiometric requirement for complete MTBE mineralization, suggesting that only partial biodegradation of MTBE to intermediate organic metabolites occurred. The availability of dissolved O₂ did not affect MTBE biodegradation significantly, with similar MTBE biodegradation behaviour and rates down to ca. 0.7 mg/L dissolved O₂ concentration. The results indicate that aerobic MTBE biodegradation could be significant in the plume fringe, during mixing of the contaminant plume and uncontaminated groundwater and that, relative to the plume migration, aerobic biodegradation is important for MTBE attenuation. Moreover, should the groundwater dissolved O₂ concentration fall to zero such that MTBE biodegradation was inhibited, an engineered approach to enhance in situ bioremediation could supply O₂ at relatively low levels (e.g. 2–3 mg/L) to effectively stimulate MTBE biodegradation, which has significant practical advantages. The study shows that aerobic MTBE biodegradation can occur at environmentally significant rates in this aquifer, and that long-term microcosm experiments (100s days) may be necessary to correctly interpret contaminant biodegradation potential in aquifers to support site management decisions.     

Analysis of phytochelatin complexes in the lead tolerant vetiver grass [Vetiveria zizanioides (L.)] using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Ethylenediamene tetraacetic acid (EDTA) has been used to mobilize soil lead (Pb) and enhance plant uptake for phytoremediation. Chelant bound Pb is considered less toxic compared to free Pb ions and hence might induce less stress on plants. Characterization of possible Pb complexes with phytochelatins (PC_n, metal-binding peptides) and EDTA in plant tissues will enhance our understanding of Pb tolerance mechanisms. In a previous study, we showed that vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) can accumulate up to 19,800 and 3350 mg Pb kg⁻¹ dry weight in root and shoot tissues, respectively; in a hydroponics set-up. Following the basic incubation study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the efficiency of vetiver grass (with or without EDTA) in remediating Pb-contaminated soils from actual residential sites where Pb-based paints were used. The levels of total thiols, PC_n, and catalase (an antioxidant enzyme) were measured in vetiver root and shoot following chelant-assisted phytostabilization. In the presence of 15 mM kg ⁻¹ EDTA, vetiver accumulated 4460 and 480 mg Pb kg⁻¹ dry root and shoot tissue, respectively; that are 15- and 24-fold higher compared to those in untreated controls. Despite higher Pb concentrations in the plant tissues, the amount of total thiols and catalase activity in EDTA treated vetiver tissues was comparable to chelant unamended controls, indicating lowered Pb toxicity by chelation with EDTA. The identification of glutathione (referred as PC₁) (m/z 308.2), along with chelated complexes like Pb-EDTA (m/z 498.8) and PC₁-Pb-EDTA (m/z 805.3) in vetiver root tissue using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS) highlights the possible role of such species towards Pb tolerance in vetiver grass.     

Arsenic species in ecosystems affected by arsenic-rich spring water near an abandoned mine in Korea

The objectives of this study were to quantitatively estimate the distribution of arsenic with its speciation and to identify potential pathways for transformation of arsenic species from samples of water, sediments, and plants in the ecosystem affected by the Cheongog Spring, where As(V) concentration reached levels up to 0.270 mg L⁻¹. After flowing about 100 m downstream, the arsenic level showed a marked reduction to 0.044 mg L⁻¹ (about 84% removal) without noticeable changes in major water chemistry. The field study and laboratory hydroponic experiments with the dominant emergent plants along the creek (water dropwort and thunbergian smartweed) indicated that arsenic distribution, reduction, and speciation appear to be controlled by, (i) sorption onto stream sediments in exchangeable fractions, (ii) bioaccumulation by and possible release from emergent plants, and (iii) transformation of As(V) to As(III) and organic species through biological activities.     

Metabolites of the phenylurea herbicides chlorotoluron, diuron, isoproturon and linuron produced by the soil fungus Mortierella sp.

Phenylurea herbicides are used worldwide, and often pollute surface- and groundwater in concentrations exceeding the limit value for drinking water (0.1 μg l⁻¹). Bacteria degrade phenylurea herbicides by successive N-dealkylation to substituted aniline products. Little is known about the corresponding fungal pathways, however. We here report degradation of chlorotoluron, diuron, isoproturon and linuron by the soil fungus Mortierella sp. Gr4. Degradation was fastest with linuron and resulted in successively dealkylated metabolites and 3,4-dichloroaniline. A major new metabolite was detected that has not yet been fully identified. Thin layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicate that it is a non-aromatic diol. Degradation of isoproturon, chlorotoluron and diuron involved successive N-demethylation and, in the case of isoproturon and chlorotoluron, additional hydroxylation. A new hydroxylated isoproturon metabolite was detected. The study thus shows that the fungal pathways differ from the bacterial pathways and yield new metabolites of possible environmental concern.     

针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附特征及影响因素研究

通过恒温振荡平衡法研究了Pb~(2+)在针铁矿上的等温吸附和吸附动力学特征,探讨了吸附的影响因素.结果表明:(1)随Pb~(2+)平衡浓度和pH的增大,针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附量逐渐增大.(2)针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的等温吸附可用Freundlich和Langmuir方程较好地拟合.(3)在相同温度和pH下,随离子强度的提高,针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附量增大.(4)在相同离子强度和pH下,针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附量总体随温度升高而增大.针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附是自发进行的吸热反应.(5)针铁矿吸附Pb~(2+)的过程可分为初始的快吸附和随后的慢吸附2个阶段.pH影响吸附反应快慢,随pH增大吸附速率增大;随着pH的增大,达到平衡吸附的时间缩短.吸附动力学方程用Elovich方程拟合最佳.     

新型TCAS吸附树脂对水中Cd2+的吸附去除研究

通过静态吸附试验,研究一种由超分子受体化合物磺化硫杂杯芳烃（TCAS）与树脂结合的产物——新型TCAS吸附树脂对重金属Cd²⁺的吸附去除性能,并初步探讨了吸附机理。试验研究结果表明,TCAS吸附树脂对Cd²⁺的饱和吸附量为14.45 mg/g。当温度为20℃,0.5 g TCAS吸附树脂对10 mL浓度为5 mg/L的Cd²⁺溶液吸附60 min时, Cd²⁺的去除率可达到99%以上。pH值是影响TCAS吸附树脂吸附效果的重要因素,在pH=5～9时,Cd²⁺的去除率随着pH值的升高而增大。在试验范围内,TCAS吸附树脂对Cd²⁺吸附符合Freundlich方程。吸附在TCAS吸附树脂上的Cd²⁺可洗脱回收,TCAS吸附树脂也可再生利用。 TCAS吸附树脂对重金属Cd²⁺的吸附机理主要归因于TCAS对Cd²⁺的络合作用。     

单块集尘板振打加速度的有限元分析

采用有限元分析软件ABAQUS,对单块集尘板振打加速度进行了分析计算。并将计算结果与解析法和实测法结果进行对比。对比结果表明,有限元计算值更接近于实测值。用有限元法对某厂实际运行的电除尘器加速度进行求解,计算结果与实际基本吻合。由于有限元法能非常方便地处理各种复杂板型、不同的悬挂方式、振打锤的大小以及振打方式,因此,有限元法对于现有极板的分析与新型极板的研究均具有重要的实际意义。     

蜂窝煤燃烧氟污染的控制

以碳酸钙为固氟添加剂,以炉渣及粉煤灰等低氟材料取代全部或部分粘土作为粘结剂来制作蜂窝煤,进行了燃煤降氟的试验研究.结果表明,添加碳酸钙能有效降低蜂窝煤燃烧时候的氟排放,当煤:粘土:CaCO3的质量比为70:17:13时,碳酸钙的固氟效果最佳,氟的排放率可降低64.1%.以炉渣为粘结剂制作蜂窝煤能够显著降低燃烧时向外界排放的氟化物量,当煤:炉渣:CaCO3为80:8:12时,蜂窝煤燃烧排氟量较小且趋于稳定.已拌有一定剂量粉煤灰粘结剂的煤中添加15%的粘土后碳酸钙的固氟效果明显改善,当煤:粘土:粉煤灰:CaCO3为70:15:9:6时固氟效果最佳,此时蜂窝煤氟逸出率仅为18.2%,氟的减排率达到77.9%,显著优于未添加粘土时碳酸钙的固氟效果,蜂窝煤添加碳酸钙固氟剂进行高效固氟时,需同时适当增加粉煤灰加入量,以稳定固氟剂的高温固氟效果.     

铈改性Al_2O_3担载Pd催化剂的CO氧化性能研究

浸渍法制备了Al2O3+CeO2为载体的Pd催化剂,对制备中各因素对催化剂效果的影响作了初步研究.考察了活性组分含量与催化荆性能的关系以及焙烧温度、水蒸气对催化剂活性的影响.结果表明,稀土Ce元素的存在使催化剂的性能得到明显改善.制备过程中焙烧步骤对催化剂的活性影响很大,催化剂制备必须高于600 ℃焙烧.